Tag Archives: Tom Shales

An Oral History as Told by Jon Stewart, The Correspondents, Staff and Guests

By Chris Smith and Jon Stewart

This is the story of how a marginal show on basic cable became a major force in show business and politics. Like Tom Shales’ book about Saturday Night Live, reading the book is a lot like watching a documentary with a lot of talking heads. It is comprehensive and still funny.

The Complete,Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live as Told by its Stars, Writers, and Guests

By James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales

This the story of how Lorne Michaels built an empire. He took a time slot Johnny Carson did not want and eventually controlled the The Tonight Show, The Late Show and Saturday Night Live. Reading the book is a lot like watching a documentary with a lot of talking heads. It is comprehensive over forty years. What appears to be improvisation is in fact a carefully scripted formula from a well oiled machine.